On the instructions of Sabina Aliyeva, the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Republic of Azerbaijan (Ombudsman), visits were made to the Clinical Psychiatric Hospital No. 2 of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Baku Drug Center within the framework of the National Preventive Mechanism mandate and the activities of the Working Group in the field of “Mental health and human rights” under the Ombudsman.

The purpose of the monitoring organized on the basis of the Optional Protocol of the UN Convention against “Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment”, the Constitutional Law “On Human Rights Commissioner (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan”, and the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan “On Psychiatric Assistance” was to investigate the treatment and conditions in these institutions, to study the issues of ensuring patients’ rights and the condition of the services provided.

It was determined that both inpatient and outpatient treatment was carried out in the Clinical Psychiatric Hospital No. 2, some deficiencies that existed during previous visits to the institution were eliminated, new employees were appointed to the vacant positions, and renovation works were carried out a few months ago. Recommendations were made in the direction of improving living conditions, documentation work and strengthening control in this area, taking patients out for more outdoor walks.

At the same time, it was determined that only outpatient treatment measures were taken in the Baku Drug Center operating on the first floor of the residential building. It has been observed that both the number of physicians is low and the size of the facility is small.

It should be noted that although it is stated that both enterprises are supposed to be moved to new, more spacious buildings, it is very important to speed up this matter.

At the end of the visits, a legal educational conversation was held with the management and employees of the institutions, legal educational publications of the Ombudsman’s Office and information boards related to the “916” Call Center were presented.

The Ministry of Health will be addressed in order to eliminate the deficiencies identified during the visit.